Mumbai doctor booked, isolated for sexual assault of COVID-19 patient

A 34-year-old doctor has been booked and isolated on charges of sexually assaulting a 44-year-old male COVID-19 patient in the ICU of Wockhardt hospital in Mumbai, Indian Express reported.

The hospital has sacked the doctor.

According to the report, the doctor who was booked on May 1 had joined duty a day before. Police said he was not questioned or arrested due to fear that he may be infected with COVID-19. He instead has been put in home quarantine in his residence in Thane and is being monitored, IE quoted Agripada police as saying.

According to the report, the patient was also admitted on April 30, the same day the MD joined.

“The doctor was on his first day of duty, having joined the previous day. Following the receipt of information of misconduct and as per protocol, the administration immediately informed the police. The services of the doctor were terminated,” the hospital said in a statement released on Sunday (May 4).

Based on a complaint filed by the hospital’s HR, a case has been filed against the accused under IPC sections 377 (unnatural offences), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease endangering life) and 279 (malignant act likely to spread infection of diseases endangering life).